In 1902, Middleton moved to work on the Harringay Mercury, and became the first Assistant Secretary of the Labour Party. He remained in this role for many years, a close supporter of Ramsay MacDonald. He opposed World War I, founding the War Emergency Workers' National Committee, and was initially enthusiastic about the October Revolution.

Middleton remained with the Labour Party in 1931 when MacDonald left to form the National Labour Organisation, although he stated that he was in awe at MacDonald's heroism over this move. In 1935, he succeeded Arthur Henderson and General Secretary of the party. In this role, he opposed proposals to form a Popular Front and worked to sideline all critics of the official party line. However, he increasingly became seen as ineffective, and retired in 1944.

With two new nephews in the family, Christmas is set to be an exciting time in the Middleton household and now youngest sibling James has opened up about what the festive season with Kate and Pippa is really like ... is all about family and gives the Middletons a chance to 'regroup'....

Behind the wit, warmth and energy promised in the film, which stars Daniel Mays, James Purefoy and Tuppence Middleton, lie the stark facts of a tragedy that threatened to rob the real band of Cornish singers of their good spirits for ever ... “There was a distinct click and then a rush of air as four tons of metal hurtled to the ground ... ....